Storm Eunice batters Essex and closes roads in Colchester

Roads were closed due to fallen trees, trains were cancelled and power lines were down as a result of the storm, which caused gusts as strong as 78mph across north Essex.

Residents posted images on social media of broken fences and felled trees – as well as bins, trampolines and garden equipment which had been scattered by the gale-force winds.

Major task – a 30ft tree on Mersea Road caused severe problems for council workers

All trains on the Greater Anglia network were suspended after trees fell on overhead cables, causing small fires in some locations.

A spokesman from Greater Anglia apologised for the disruption caused by Storm Eunice.

• LISTED: All the places in Colchester closed today as waste collections are suspended

Uprooted – a tree on the Willows green is felled by the strong wind (Credit: Steve Farrow)

He said: “Due to multiple incidents of trees on the line and trees blocking the railway, services are suspended on all routes.

“A break in train services is being taken for Network Rail staff to remove trees and repair the infrastructure before we are able to run a service.

Flattened – wooden fences were particularly vulnerable to the wind (Credit: Rachel West)

“Trees on the overhead electric lines need to be removed and fires put out, and infrastructure damaged [needs to be] repaired.

“This will take some time due to the implications of the weather and staff to cover all the incidents.”

Rail services were not the only forms of travel affected, however, with debris scattered across the A12 causing disruption to traffic and a 30ft tree blocking Mersea Road.

Toppled – even brick walls were not immune to the 78 mile per hour winds (Credit: Steve Raw)

The bus service, First Essex, had to divert many of its buses and terminate some services early.

Rural areas outside Colchester were hit with power cuts with hundreds of people being left without power and internet causing inconvenience to people who had opted to work from home after being advised against travelling.

Swept away – numerous trampolines fell victim to Storm Eunice (Credit: STacey Farrington)

Residential and commercial properties also bore the brunt of the storm as fences were flattened, tiles were blown of roofs and greenhouses were smashed.

Construction boards on the Willows housing estate were also blown down with trampolines and paddling pools being blown onto the road.

Colchester Zoo also closed its doors in the interests of safety for its animals and staff.